A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. Saint Augustine for Attractions, Nightlife, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Tulum or Saint Augustine?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Saint Augustine can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Tulum

Tulum is a ancient, archeological, and tropical town. Tulum is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Tulum travel costs.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a historic, notable, and colonial city. Saint Augustine is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Saint Augustine travel costs.

Tulum and Saint Augustine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Saint Augustine?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tulum. Although Tulum and Saint Augustine are both popular with visitors, Tulum has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Tulum is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Saint Augustine is known for its historical sights. Tulum is more touristy than Saint Augustine and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also home to the Tulum archeological ruins. Saint Augustine is popular for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States.

How is Tulum different from Saint Augustine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint Augustine and Tulum. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tulum or Saint Augustine?

Tulum is very popular for its museums and landmarks. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Tulum that are not to be missed. It's famous for its world-renowned archeological ruins. The Tulum Archeological Site is very popular for its Mayan temples and castles. You can also travel a bit further to see the Cobá Ruins.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Saint Augustine. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

Is the Food Better in Tulum or Saint Augustine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Tulum and Saint Augustine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Tulum makes for a great culinary experience. Despite being well established as a top tourist destination in Mexico, you'll still find authentic and delicious local cuisine. Favorite dishes around town include the ceviche, tacos al pastor, and sopa de lima (chicken soup).

Saint Augustine has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Is Tulum or Saint Augustine Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is very popular for nightlife. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Tulum is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. It's world renowned for its wild nightlife scene and you'll find iconic beach parties, jungle raves, and trendy Tuluminati parties. Most of the local places that are a bit more affordable are in town, and the more touristy and expensive places are around the Middle Beach Zone.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Augustine has a few options to choose from. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

Is Tulum or Saint Augustine Better for Resorts?

Tulum is very popular for its resorts. However, Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Tulum offers an unforgettable resort vacation. If you're on a budget, you can stay in town for a more reasonable price, but if you want a classic beach vacation, head to the Zona Hotelera stretch along the coast. There are luxury hotels as well as resorts with beachfront pools and luxury restaurants.

Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or Saint Augustine Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is very popular for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Augustine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Tulum specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The water along the coast is shallow and clear, which is perfect for snorkeling. There are also dive trips that take you a short distance out to diverse and beautiful reefs.

Saint Augustine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Saint Augustine Better for Beaches?

Tulum is very popular for its beaches. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

The beaches in Tulum are among the best in the world. World class beaches with turquoise water and long stretches of sand make this a true beach-lovers paradise. Playa Paraíso is a favorite beach in the area and many consider it among the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.

The beaches at Saint Augustine attract visitors from all over. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Is Tulum or Saint Augustine Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is terrific for its historic old town. However, Tulum does not have a historic old town.

Saint Augustine has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Tulum does not have a historic old town.

Is Tulum or Saint Augustine Better for Hiking?

Tulum is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Tulum. There are coastal walks and routes that take you through the jungle or by archeological ruins. There are many places where you can enjoy a stroll through nature.

Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Saint Augustine?

Both Tulum and Saint Augustine are high quality shopping destinations.

Tulum is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Quirky souvenir shops, local artisan boutiques, and colorful bazaars make shopping a fun experience. Make sure you check out Mercado Maya or the Tulum Bazaar while you're in town.

Saint Augustine is well-known for its shopping. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Is Tulum or Saint Augustine More Beautiful?

Tulum is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

Tulum is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

Saint Augustine is a beautiful place to visit, too. Colonial architecture and a charming atmosphere give this historic town a unique beauty.

Is Tulum or Saint Augustine Better for Families?

Both Tulum and Saint Augustine are high quality to visit with kids.

Tulum is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the beaches and archeological sights as much as adults. You can also visit a cenote or see the sea turtles at Akumal Bay. If you're open to getting out of town, there are many adventure parks in the area as well.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Augustine is very family-friendly. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

Is Tulum or Saint Augustine Better for Couples?

Tulum is very popular for romance. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Tulum has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Beautiful beaches, world famous archeological sights, and a wild nightlife scene make this a great honeymoon or couple's destination. There are also spas, cenotes, and even cooking classes that you can take together.

Saint Augustine is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Is Tulum or Saint Augustine Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is a great destination for backpackers. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Tulum. It's no longer an undiscovered backpacker paradise, but there are still affordable options in the area and there's a great nightlife scene.

Saint Augustine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel in town as well as a couple of affordable inns.

Is Tulum or Saint Augustine Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Tulum is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Tulum, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shared vans, Collectivos, that provide transportation through the area. The Tiburon is also a local bus that runs along the coastline.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Is Tulum or Saint Augustine a more walkable city?

Tulum and Saint Augustine both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Tulum is very walkable. It's easy to walk around downtown Tulum and explore on foot.

Saint Augustine is a very walkable town. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

For even more information, also check out Is Tulum Worth Visiting? and Is Saint Augustine Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Augustine or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Saint Augustine?

It's fun to spend time in either Tulum or Saint Augustine. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Tulum due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Tulum, and 3-4 days is enough time in Saint Augustine.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Saint Augustine. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tulum, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Tulum than Saint Augustine. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tulum that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tulum than Saint Augustine if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Tulum.

One day in Tulum or Saint Augustine?

The ancient destination of Tulum offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Saint Augustine, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this colonial destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tulum or Saint Augustine?

The town of Tulum offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Augustine. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tulum or Saint Augustine?

Tulum is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Saint Augustine is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Saint Augustine. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tulum or Saint Augustine?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Tulum. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the notable destination of Saint Augustine. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Saint Augustine, we can see that Saint Augustine is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Saint Augustine would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Augustine than you might in Tulum.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Saint Augustine Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Saint Augustine, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Tulum or Saint Augustine?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tulum or Saint Augustine in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Saint Augustine. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Tulum is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Saint Augustine during summer. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint Augustine receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tulum usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Augustine. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tulum or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Saint Augustine. The autumn months attract visitors to Tulum because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.

In the autumn, Tulum is a little warmer than Saint Augustine. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Augustine averages at about 70°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the autumn, Tulum often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Augustine. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 214 hours of full sun.

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Saint Augustine. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.

Should I visit Tulum or Saint Augustine in the Winter?

Both Saint Augustine and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Tulum is generally much warmer than Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Saint Augustine during winter. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than Saint Augustine. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tulum or Saint Augustine in the Spring?

Both Saint Augustine and Tulum during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Tulum is a little warmer than Saint Augustine in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the spring, Tulum often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Augustine. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 285 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets less rain in April than Saint Augustine. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.

Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Tulum